Job Description

Interim Strategic Finance Business Partner
Location: London/Hybrid
Rate: £600 per day (umbrella)


Overview:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Interim Strategic Finance Business Partner to join a leading London Council. This role is crucial to supporting the Head of Financial Planning & Business Partnering in delivering expert guidance and strategic financial management across the Council's Capital Programme and Commercial initiatives.
As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in driving cultural change, ensuring alignment with the Council's INSPIRE values, and delivering excellent outcomes. This is a highly influential position that requires a deep understanding of commercial finance models, capital investment strategies, and local authority financial regulations.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead and manage the development of the Council’s Capital investment programmes.
  • Provide commercial finance support to various Council programmes, including Council-owned companies.
  • Offer expert advice on capital strategies and ensure alignment with the treasury strategy.
  • Lead the end-of-year closing processes for capital accounts, ensuring compliance with local authority capital programme financing and reporting requirements.
  • Deliver inspirational leadership to the finance team, fostering staff development through coaching and mentoring.
  • Actively participate in Council leadership networks and exemplify corporate values.
  • Provide direct line management to 1-5 staff, offering support and advice on commercial programmes.
  • Collaborate closely with senior officers and elected officials to achieve excellent outcomes.
Essential Knowledge and Experience:
  • A relevant professional qualification (e.g., CIPFA, CIMA, MBA) or equivalent experience operating at a similar level.
  • Significant experience in developing and implementing capital investment strategies and programmes.
  • Strong technical knowledge of the prudential framework and local authority capital programme financing.
  • Proven experience in financial modelling, project appraisal, and assessment of financing options.
  • In-depth understanding of Local Authority Capital Accounting and associated guidance.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide commercially focused finance support to large programmes and projects.
  • Experience in business case development and financial viability assessments.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with senior non-finance officers and elected officials.
  • Experience in a business partnering model or a strong awareness of the outcomes required by such a model.